Chapter 21: Heart ni Kariboshi Sakashitare (Let a Shinning Star Bloom in the Heart)
"Excuse me, your Highness. May have a word with you." Hotohori turned to the man who had addressed him. The last couple of days, which had just barely turned to weeks had been very difficult. He hardly spoke a word and his council grew concerned. He had never visited his herim and then when the name had finally found the one who loved him back she'd run from him--afraid of what the two would bring to the warrior Nuriko. They knew that the man should have an Empress by this age and a heir for the throne soon. Finally they resorted to encouraging him to taking a woman from his herim and making her his wife. The Emperor ignored the idea completely--hope still in his heart that the Guardian of the Beast God Suzaku that he so helplessly loved would come back to him.
"Yes, Kana," he said softly to one of the members of his council. The man was in his late 30's not to tall, had black hair and a mustage and wore shades of red and burgendy.
"One of the maids that was cleaning Lady Mirakuru's room found this." Kana held out a piece of paper folded in four quarters. "She recognized the character on printed on it to be the same as on your Majesty's throat..." He looked up at the face of Hotohori who's eyes layed on the small item, concern for the him because he'd known the Emperor since he was just a little boy and knew that he didn't except lose well. "I thought that you may wish to see it."
Gently and some what fearfully Hotohori took it into his hand--wondering with anticipation at what words would be written for him to read. One fold--just one more. His heart beat raced and his palms began to sweat. Last fold--but he could not understand the markings and words. The only thing he recognize was the symbol for star that was so boldly outlined as if it had been traced on over and over.
Kana watched Saihitei's frustration and cleared his throat to get the Emperor's attention. "What may the problem be Lord Saihitei?"
"I can not--" He could have have hit himself for not paying more attention when his teachers tried to teach him foreign lauguages. "I do not understand this."
With silence filling the air, Kana dared to speak and reached an assuring hand to Hotohori's. "Would you like me to read it to you?" He smiled lightly calming Hotohori's frustration.
He sighed and handed the paper to Kana. "Thank you, Kana."
"Don't think anything of it Majesty... Hmm... Japanese... It says--" Kana choked on his words.
"What is it? What did she write?" He grew anxious to know.
"She said--" He didn't want to finish because he knew how the man would react.
"Kana!!"
"...I wish I would have made love to you when I had the chance--"
Hotohori's mouth widened when her heard those words, his breath caught, and inside blood rushed to the part of him that made him a man. "Continue."
"--There are so many things I want to say to you. I thought that if I cut my hair and dressed like a boy I would be able to get away without hurting you, without you knowing. I knew you'd find out eventually, but just to spare you few moments of grief would be worth it. But I'm the one filled grief. I want to be with you, in your arms again, but I can't because I need to help protect Miaka... That's an excuse--I needed, I wanted to be with Nuriko. I want him to be happy too." Kana scratched his head, "I can't make out this character. It's scribbled out."
The Emperor caught the symbol that Kana was stuck on. He recognized that one. Mirakuru had taught him that because that was the only one she ever said to him, other than the word Koi. His lips hissed it softly. "Aishiteru..."
"Hmm?" He grinned. "Oh yes, I--I love you."
She didn't want that part to been seen and his soul nearly screamed. He could almost hear her crying. Her sobs coming sharply and hot tears stinging her eyes. 'Hotohori... Hotohori... Hoto... hori...' The pain was overtaking and when he heard those words he knew her confusion.
"You deserve someone better than me--"
"Uhh?!" Hotohori's eyes went to slits. Emotions rang through his head. Love. Hate. Anger. Madness. Grief. Saddness. Betrayle. Jealousy. Did he just suddenly lose hope? Did he dare stop believing that she's come back. Why had he ever allow himself to fall in love with her? Why didn't he stop her advances?... Why didn't he stop his own? Because he had fallen in love with her, damn it! Tears then pierced the room. But they weren't his--they belonged to the girl that had burst into room.
Her brown hair was wildly out of place but stil beautiful. Blue eyes begged and reached out to him. Mirakuru through herself at him. "HOTOHORI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed his name and he pulled her too him. "Hotohori, I love you, I love you, I love you!!!!!!"
"Mirakuru................"
His thoughts had certainly wondered, he could have sworn he just saw her running towards him and was just in his arms. But wasn't she? No. No, she wasn't there, not surrending to his warmth, not screaming out his name and those bittersweet words, and she wasn't there to hold him, not there to make everything okay. It had been an illusion, a careless daydream.
"I'm sorry... Hotohori. And it's simply signed with the Chinese character for prayer." Before Kana could say anything to calm his mood, Hotohori dismissed him.
"Thank you, Kana, that willll be all." *Prayer? Mirakuru is the Lady of Prayer.* The Emperor turned his back and before he could retreat to the safety of his throne Kana's voice pleaded for his attention.
"Um, Highness if I may, there were some clothes recovered beneath the bed, and Miss Mirakuru's hair strands." He coughed nervously. "I thought I would have them brought to your chambers for you."
"Yes," distance and distress in his voice.
"I'll deliver them myself if it'll please you, and the letter will be especially taken care of."
"Thank you." Some calmness and gentle grace had returned to him as he tried to clear his head or atleast to think of something else. He was growing restless and didn't sleep much, hardly ate anything either. His thoughts were, or well he tried to think of, the pending battle he knew would happen between his country and Kutou. Kana bowed and walked away after Hotohori had finally took a seat in his chair. And his voice softly prayed, "Be safe Miaka, Tamahome, and everyone. Mirakuru--" He sighed, "Well, I hope you'll return with a smile instead of tears. I want you to be happy, but," *I still want to be with you...*
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The evening breeze caressed his skin, the coolness seeping away the disappointed air encircling him. Gently shaking his head he spoke softly to the reflection in the water. "Why'd you do it?"
He felt guilty. "Why did you kiss Kouran?" Chichiri silently cursed himself. This wasn't like him. He felt no reason to be cheerful, no reason to wear the magic mask that made him smile all the time. "What the heck were you thinking? You're not this foolish, Chichiri?"
"You're right--you're not." Kakusei came up and stood behind him. "I saw you, in my vision. You gave into Kouran didn't you?" She turned to him at the same time as he looked at her. Her eyes caught the sun just right to make them gold and he could see she was looking out for her friend, well, both of her friends.
He sighed but didn't answer and looked back to the sunset. The sky was painted in reds, golds, and oranges and it made the outline of their bodies glow. Wind blew softly from the south reminding of them both of the easier days when the biggest worry was what they were going to wear that day. But they could feel the Emperor's blessings and prayers and it was a gentle release.
She kept her eyes on him even though he had turned away. "But what happens when we go back?" Her ponytail hit her waist as is swayed with the wind, the young woman's voice was warm but questioning. There was fear too, the fear of leaving so many loved ones. Tasuki... She loved that man with everything she had, but he was just a character in a book, he wasn't real, he wasn't a real person. But, wasn't the one who had told her not to be afraid and that she had the power inside of her? Wasn't he the one, the one who hand told her that is his eyes she was as innocent as a little baby and had held her hand tightly and kept her eyes on him as they made love? Wasn't he the one? Wasn't he? *...Isn't he?* 'I promise, I won't ever let you go.' *........................................................................................He is... He is the one that have waited my whole life for. We'll make it through this, I know it!*
".....I'll let her go....." Chichiri's sudden words spooked her.
"What?!" Her eyes focused harder on him, trying to see through him, into his soul.
"...With the hopes that one day she'll come back to me..." Chichiri softly turned to her with a soft smile. The mask was gently removed from his face and a ruby colored eye gleamed down at her. "Kouran or not, I love Densetsu and this thing will blow over in time, ya know? She's a strong girl, she'll understand. She won't cry, I know her."
"I know her too. She's my best friend. And you're right--she won't cry." Kakusei then felt a presence behind her, it wasn't a Suzaku so she immediately knew is was Kouran.
Before she could turn her head she heard Chichiri, "Kouran."
Her long hair openly feel into her eyes. Chichiri and Kakusei turned to her. "Houjun... Houjun..." She approached the two with flushed cheeks and persperation forming on her face. "I need you."
His eye widened and his lips parted. *She--*
"I mean," she hesitated, "I need to talk to you." She looked down at the ground and then back up at him for an answer. Both Kakusei and Chichiri knew what she meant--she physically needed him.
Kakusei's heart could have stopped then. The thought of her friend's heart breaking was devouring to her. *Chichiri, don't!*
He ignored her silent plea and took the dreaded steps towards Kouran. Her eyes lit up as he looked into them and took her hand. He cupped her chin and as he did she smiled. "Houjun," she rejoiced. "Houjun!" She forced her lips to his and this time he allowed her actions and didn't seem to want to stop.
*Chichiri!!!!! Don't!!! Stop!!! You're going to hurt Densetsu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
He then looked at Kakusei who's eyes had filled with fear. With a solemn look he sighed softly and then walked away, still holding Kouran's hand. Their foot steps drew quieter and soon they were gone, the whole world screaming for him to stop... or so it seemed to him.
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"Tasuki?" Kakusei shyly peered into his room and found that he'd fallen asleep. It was the late afternoon and the sun was setting. Her talk, if you want to call it that, with Chichiri had made her want his arms around her. Maybe to make sure he was still hers, or maybe an excuse to wait until later to tell Densetsu that Chichiri was with someone else, or maybe instinct had taken over and her desires were controlling her.
He looked like a child like that, so sweet and innocent. The white shirt that he had worn that day was falling of his shoulders and his chest was bare. The character of wings on his right arm was shown by the rolled sleves. The girl moved her way over him. He slept to the lullaby of his own gentle breathing. Weight sunk into the bed as she lay down next to him. Not wanting to wake him, she just barely moved a whisp of hair from his eyes. Smiling lightly to herself her thoughts drifted away back home in Tokyo............................
"Hi Mom! I'm home." She slipped off her shoes and put on her baby blue slippers. Her hair swayed in a loose braid as she walk down the hall way and peered into the dining room. A women with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes smiled at her and a little girl with short brown hair and baby blue eyes turned to face her.
"Onee-san!" The 6 year old child ran immediately into her sister's arms and laughed joyfully. "Me and Mommy made cookies for you and the girls, but I did the most work. Mom only helped--only a little." She made a measurement with her thumb and and index finger.
"You did?!" Kakusei smiled. Her mother softly laughed. She pat her sister's head and grinned at her mother. Her attention then went back to her sister. "So, you gonna sing with us later Sato?"
"Hai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sato squealed and Kakusei in all her quietness allowed herself to let out a laugh.
"I'm going upstairs to get my homework done, Mom." Kakusei turned and began to walk towards her room.
"Okay sweetie, Mirakuru and Densetsu are already here," her mother called from the kitchen. The knee length dress followed her movements as she softly made her way up the stairs. Music played softly...
"Open your eyes--See me for who I am, not what everybody says about me. If you think you fully understand then you're only kidding yourself. You couldn't possibly understand all the rage inside a single heart! I was left there, crying outside there, waiting for someone to be there, for me... Sad smiles are not a dream of mine, but that's all I can believe in, 'cause no one thinks I can make it. But why should I care, I know I can!..... Suddenly I'm surrounded with faith... Hands fall together... We will win..."
The door opened and in a split second Kakusei saw Densetsu watching Mirakuru who was in deep state of consentration and floating in the air cross-legged. The sound of the door creeking sent the brunette to the floor.
"Ow! Kakusei--that hurt!" She rubbed her bottom and frowned at the turquoise-haired beauty. Mirakuru's hair tumbled over her shoulders and unto the ground. She had left it down for once and it was past her knees.
Densetsu laughed aloud and Kakusei grinned. "Sorry. I didn't know you would be leviatating in my room." She closed the door behind her and kneeled down beside Densetsu. "So... How was you're day at school?"
"Don't even ask her--she is so stressed out about entrance exams to think about school, or anything else." Densetsu sighed. "I remember taking them--"
"Yeah--you aced it," Mirakuru said pulling her hair back. "It's too hard!"
Kakusei rolled her eyes. "I managed to pass them and I've never been all that great at school."
"I wish I was just in high school now, so that way I wouldn't have to worry about it." She pouted but then her eyes lit up as she saw Daikonsen peek in the door.
"Hi! Sorry I'm late!"
"Daiko-chan!" Mirakuru joyfully through her arms around her and laughed. "Um..." She back away and watched Daikonsen move over to the others. "Will you help me study tonight at my house?"
"Sure." Her school uniform was the same as Kakusei's--a baby blue, knee-length skirt, white t-shirt with a blue vest.
"Arigato! I love you!!!" Mirakuru's uniform was a short red skirt and a white, botton up t-shirt with a red border on the end of the sleves and a red collar. She smiled.
Densetsu, whose school uniform included a plade green skirt and a gray top with a green bow on the front and a blue sailor thingy (I don't know what their called), picked up her notebook and showed her lyrics for a new song to Daikonsen and Mirakuru.
Kakusei looked down at the floor and felt a sorrow overwhelm her. Why wasn't she confident? Why wasn't she as pretty as her friends? Why wasn't she as popular at school as Daikonsen? Why wasn't she as smart and flirty as Densetsu? Why wasn't she as warm-hearted and mellow as Mirakuru? She asked herself everyday why she couldn't be something more, why she could feel beautiful and confident and sexy..... Well, she did until......................
She felt Tasuki's arms around her. In a light tone he spoke to her, "What are you doing in my bed, Wild Fire?"
She didn't say anything but savored the warmth she felt coming from his heart. Her hair was tied in up and soon his lips were caressing the back of her neck. The girl's cheeks flushed and she whispered breathing heavily. "Tasuki," she shuck beneath him. She hadn't expected he's come on to her so fast and was unprepared.Kakusei turned to face him but his lips met his and he parted her lips with his tongue. Immediately he began undressing her and she was shocked, even scared, he'd never been like this before, never so physical, never so hungry for her, never needed or wanted her this much. Goosebumps went up and down her body and cool air swept over her sending chills through her. Her bare skin was touched by the breeze. Her shirt was off and pulled down to her waist, and only her bra covered her breasts. The man's hand moved up from her knee up to beneath her skirt and touched her silky panties. She was wet there, she realized as he skillfully slipped his fingertips inside of her. "Tas..." Her breathing was hard and gasping. "Ki..."
.....The moonlight plays upon your skin. A kiss that lingers takes me in. I fall asleep inside of you. There are no words, there's only truth. Breathe in, breathe out, there is no sound. We move together up and down. We levitate, our bodies soar, our feet don't even touch the floor. But nobody knows you like I do, 'cause the world they don't understand that I go stronger in your hands. Turn the lights down low, take if off, let me show you, my love for you insatiable. Turn me on, never stop, wanna taste every drop, my love for you is insatiable. Turn the lights down low, take if off, let me show you, my love for you insatiable. Turn me on, never stop, wanna taste every drop, my love for you is insatiable, baby. Oh yeah. We never sleep, we're always holding hands, kissing for hours, talking, and making plans. I feel like a beter man just to be in the same room. We never sleep, there's just so much to do, so much to say. Can't close my eyes when I'm with you. Insatiable, the way I'm loving you..... ("Insatiable" Savage Gardern)
"I just want... to--" He couldn't speak, desires and fantasies had filled his sleep and he couldn't get the vision of their screams and their heat out of his thoughts. His shirt had fallen off sometime during their kiss and his words so only his lower half was clothed. Even against her rationality, she allowed him, even helped undo her school uniform skirt. She had finally moved so that their bodies were facing. Reaching over her, he undid her bra and then slipped her panties over her hips and down her hips, throwing all their clothing on floor. Their mouths moved over each others and he kneeled and then moved off the bed to remove his pants.
Kakusei watched him with passion add desires suddenly filled her.
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Tasuki finally had removed his clothing, but before he could turn around Kakusei's arms went around him. She tightly hung on to him, and he felt the softness of her skin and her let down hair. "Tasuki, there's something we never discussed about us... In my world we have different and safe ways of contraception... So, this--things like this are safer."
*Safer?!* He raised a brow, the mood suddenly broken. *What is she talking about?*
"What I mean is--what if I got pregnant?" They both choked right then.
*Pregnant?!* The idea had never even crossed his mind. She could already have a human life growing inside of her. "Pregnant?... If you got pregnant?... Then..." He was old enough to start a family, to get married, and live a happy life. But the question was did he want that and was he ready to deal with it?
She feared the worst--would he abandon her? Would he turn his back on her? Would he? Would he?! WOULD HE?!?!
A smile creased Tasuki's lips.
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Her back was pinned to the wall, but he wouldn't let her fall, his arms and hips kept her there. Wide eyes settled when she saw the grin on his face. His gold eyes peered at her. "I would like a baby, wouldn't you?"
A sigh and a smile of relief shot through them both. She laughed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was higher above him and she liked the feeling of his ears close to her, to hear the beating of his heart. "Oh Tasuki... Yes, I would like a baby very much, but right now--" Her tone changed and she met his eyes. "I want you more." She held on to him as her legs shifted to encircle his hips.
Tasuki held her closer and the heat returned to him, but hotter than before. They didn't move, they just help each other. Silent 'I love you''s were exchanged and so here soft whispers. He thought she had said 'Damn, I hate the way you do this to me,' and it had made it harder to just hold her to him without being inside her. A feeling deep in her stomache became stronger and pressure built up.
When he had finally moved inside her she didn't even feel it she was so mezmerized with the melody of his heart. She could have sworn that day late afternoon was playing them a song. His hips moved back and forth and suddenly she could feel her own heart beating. He moved and moved and moved and she bit back from screaming and held tighter to him, digging her nails into his back. Perspiration dripped down their bodies to the floor, it was if they had just been caught in the rain naked. The feeling was so much, so much heat. He moaned once and then twice. Fire--Fire--Fire--Heat--They both dreamed of rain then, to cool the building flames.
Their hips moved fiercely and soon they could barely hold back their screams.
"Kakusei!!"
"Tasuki!!!!"
And finally he released.....
Relief flooded through them and they lay side by side in his bed. Neither could remember walking from the other side of the room to the bed, but it didn't matter. Their hands were held clasped together and both gasped for air, sweat still beading and forming on their bodies.
Soom after their heart rates had gone back to normal and their breathing was down he spoke to her, both unable to move. "Heart ni kariboshi sakashitare... Make a shinning star bloom in the heart....."
"Excuse me, your Highness. May have a word with you." Hotohori turned to the man who had addressed him. The last couple of days, which had just barely turned to weeks had been very difficult. He hardly spoke a word and his council grew concerned. He had never visited his herim and then when the name had finally found the one who loved him back she'd run from him--afraid of what the two would bring to the warrior Nuriko. They knew that the man should have an Empress by this age and a heir for the throne soon. Finally they resorted to encouraging him to taking a woman from his herim and making her his wife. The Emperor ignored the idea completely--hope still in his heart that the Guardian of the Beast God Suzaku that he so helplessly loved would come back to him.
"Yes, Kana," he said softly to one of the members of his council. The man was in his late 30's not to tall, had black hair and a mustage and wore shades of red and burgendy.
"One of the maids that was cleaning Lady Mirakuru's room found this." Kana held out a piece of paper folded in four quarters. "She recognized the character on printed on it to be the same as on your Majesty's throat..." He looked up at the face of Hotohori who's eyes layed on the small item, concern for the him because he'd known the Emperor since he was just a little boy and knew that he didn't except lose well. "I thought that you may wish to see it."
Gently and some what fearfully Hotohori took it into his hand--wondering with anticipation at what words would be written for him to read. One fold--just one more. His heart beat raced and his palms began to sweat. Last fold--but he could not understand the markings and words. The only thing he recognize was the symbol for star that was so boldly outlined as if it had been traced on over and over.
Kana watched Saihitei's frustration and cleared his throat to get the Emperor's attention. "What may the problem be Lord Saihitei?"
"I can not--" He could have have hit himself for not paying more attention when his teachers tried to teach him foreign lauguages. "I do not understand this."
With silence filling the air, Kana dared to speak and reached an assuring hand to Hotohori's. "Would you like me to read it to you?" He smiled lightly calming Hotohori's frustration.
He sighed and handed the paper to Kana. "Thank you, Kana."
"Don't think anything of it Majesty... Hmm... Japanese... It says--" Kana choked on his words.
"What is it? What did she write?" He grew anxious to know.
"She said--" He didn't want to finish because he knew how the man would react.
"Kana!!"
"...I wish I would have made love to you when I had the chance--"
Hotohori's mouth widened when her heard those words, his breath caught, and inside blood rushed to the part of him that made him a man. "Continue."
"--There are so many things I want to say to you. I thought that if I cut my hair and dressed like a boy I would be able to get away without hurting you, without you knowing. I knew you'd find out eventually, but just to spare you few moments of grief would be worth it. But I'm the one filled grief. I want to be with you, in your arms again, but I can't because I need to help protect Miaka... That's an excuse--I needed, I wanted to be with Nuriko. I want him to be happy too." Kana scratched his head, "I can't make out this character. It's scribbled out."
The Emperor caught the symbol that Kana was stuck on. He recognized that one. Mirakuru had taught him that because that was the only one she ever said to him, other than the word Koi. His lips hissed it softly. "Aishiteru..."
"Hmm?" He grinned. "Oh yes, I--I love you."
She didn't want that part to been seen and his soul nearly screamed. He could almost hear her crying. Her sobs coming sharply and hot tears stinging her eyes. 'Hotohori... Hotohori... Hoto... hori...' The pain was overtaking and when he heard those words he knew her confusion.
"You deserve someone better than me--"
"Uhh?!" Hotohori's eyes went to slits. Emotions rang through his head. Love. Hate. Anger. Madness. Grief. Saddness. Betrayle. Jealousy. Did he just suddenly lose hope? Did he dare stop believing that she's come back. Why had he ever allow himself to fall in love with her? Why didn't he stop her advances?... Why didn't he stop his own? Because he had fallen in love with her, damn it! Tears then pierced the room. But they weren't his--they belonged to the girl that had burst into room.
Her brown hair was wildly out of place but stil beautiful. Blue eyes begged and reached out to him. Mirakuru through herself at him. "HOTOHORI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed his name and he pulled her too him. "Hotohori, I love you, I love you, I love you!!!!!!"
"Mirakuru................"
His thoughts had certainly wondered, he could have sworn he just saw her running towards him and was just in his arms. But wasn't she? No. No, she wasn't there, not surrending to his warmth, not screaming out his name and those bittersweet words, and she wasn't there to hold him, not there to make everything okay. It had been an illusion, a careless daydream.
"I'm sorry... Hotohori. And it's simply signed with the Chinese character for prayer." Before Kana could say anything to calm his mood, Hotohori dismissed him.
"Thank you, Kana, that willll be all." *Prayer? Mirakuru is the Lady of Prayer.* The Emperor turned his back and before he could retreat to the safety of his throne Kana's voice pleaded for his attention.
"Um, Highness if I may, there were some clothes recovered beneath the bed, and Miss Mirakuru's hair strands." He coughed nervously. "I thought I would have them brought to your chambers for you."
"Yes," distance and distress in his voice.
"I'll deliver them myself if it'll please you, and the letter will be especially taken care of."
"Thank you." Some calmness and gentle grace had returned to him as he tried to clear his head or atleast to think of something else. He was growing restless and didn't sleep much, hardly ate anything either. His thoughts were, or well he tried to think of, the pending battle he knew would happen between his country and Kutou. Kana bowed and walked away after Hotohori had finally took a seat in his chair. And his voice softly prayed, "Be safe Miaka, Tamahome, and everyone. Mirakuru--" He sighed, "Well, I hope you'll return with a smile instead of tears. I want you to be happy, but," *I still want to be with you...*
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The evening breeze caressed his skin, the coolness seeping away the disappointed air encircling him. Gently shaking his head he spoke softly to the reflection in the water. "Why'd you do it?"
He felt guilty. "Why did you kiss Kouran?" Chichiri silently cursed himself. This wasn't like him. He felt no reason to be cheerful, no reason to wear the magic mask that made him smile all the time. "What the heck were you thinking? You're not this foolish, Chichiri?"
"You're right--you're not." Kakusei came up and stood behind him. "I saw you, in my vision. You gave into Kouran didn't you?" She turned to him at the same time as he looked at her. Her eyes caught the sun just right to make them gold and he could see she was looking out for her friend, well, both of her friends.
He sighed but didn't answer and looked back to the sunset. The sky was painted in reds, golds, and oranges and it made the outline of their bodies glow. Wind blew softly from the south reminding of them both of the easier days when the biggest worry was what they were going to wear that day. But they could feel the Emperor's blessings and prayers and it was a gentle release.
She kept her eyes on him even though he had turned away. "But what happens when we go back?" Her ponytail hit her waist as is swayed with the wind, the young woman's voice was warm but questioning. There was fear too, the fear of leaving so many loved ones. Tasuki... She loved that man with everything she had, but he was just a character in a book, he wasn't real, he wasn't a real person. But, wasn't the one who had told her not to be afraid and that she had the power inside of her? Wasn't he the one, the one who hand told her that is his eyes she was as innocent as a little baby and had held her hand tightly and kept her eyes on him as they made love? Wasn't he the one? Wasn't he? *...Isn't he?* 'I promise, I won't ever let you go.' *........................................................................................He is... He is the one that have waited my whole life for. We'll make it through this, I know it!*
".....I'll let her go....." Chichiri's sudden words spooked her.
"What?!" Her eyes focused harder on him, trying to see through him, into his soul.
"...With the hopes that one day she'll come back to me..." Chichiri softly turned to her with a soft smile. The mask was gently removed from his face and a ruby colored eye gleamed down at her. "Kouran or not, I love Densetsu and this thing will blow over in time, ya know? She's a strong girl, she'll understand. She won't cry, I know her."
"I know her too. She's my best friend. And you're right--she won't cry." Kakusei then felt a presence behind her, it wasn't a Suzaku so she immediately knew is was Kouran.
Before she could turn her head she heard Chichiri, "Kouran."
Her long hair openly feel into her eyes. Chichiri and Kakusei turned to her. "Houjun... Houjun..." She approached the two with flushed cheeks and persperation forming on her face. "I need you."
His eye widened and his lips parted. *She--*
"I mean," she hesitated, "I need to talk to you." She looked down at the ground and then back up at him for an answer. Both Kakusei and Chichiri knew what she meant--she physically needed him.
Kakusei's heart could have stopped then. The thought of her friend's heart breaking was devouring to her. *Chichiri, don't!*
He ignored her silent plea and took the dreaded steps towards Kouran. Her eyes lit up as he looked into them and took her hand. He cupped her chin and as he did she smiled. "Houjun," she rejoiced. "Houjun!" She forced her lips to his and this time he allowed her actions and didn't seem to want to stop.
*Chichiri!!!!! Don't!!! Stop!!! You're going to hurt Densetsu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
He then looked at Kakusei who's eyes had filled with fear. With a solemn look he sighed softly and then walked away, still holding Kouran's hand. Their foot steps drew quieter and soon they were gone, the whole world screaming for him to stop... or so it seemed to him.
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"Tasuki?" Kakusei shyly peered into his room and found that he'd fallen asleep. It was the late afternoon and the sun was setting. Her talk, if you want to call it that, with Chichiri had made her want his arms around her. Maybe to make sure he was still hers, or maybe an excuse to wait until later to tell Densetsu that Chichiri was with someone else, or maybe instinct had taken over and her desires were controlling her.
He looked like a child like that, so sweet and innocent. The white shirt that he had worn that day was falling of his shoulders and his chest was bare. The character of wings on his right arm was shown by the rolled sleves. The girl moved her way over him. He slept to the lullaby of his own gentle breathing. Weight sunk into the bed as she lay down next to him. Not wanting to wake him, she just barely moved a whisp of hair from his eyes. Smiling lightly to herself her thoughts drifted away back home in Tokyo............................
"Hi Mom! I'm home." She slipped off her shoes and put on her baby blue slippers. Her hair swayed in a loose braid as she walk down the hall way and peered into the dining room. A women with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes smiled at her and a little girl with short brown hair and baby blue eyes turned to face her.
"Onee-san!" The 6 year old child ran immediately into her sister's arms and laughed joyfully. "Me and Mommy made cookies for you and the girls, but I did the most work. Mom only helped--only a little." She made a measurement with her thumb and and index finger.
"You did?!" Kakusei smiled. Her mother softly laughed. She pat her sister's head and grinned at her mother. Her attention then went back to her sister. "So, you gonna sing with us later Sato?"
"Hai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sato squealed and Kakusei in all her quietness allowed herself to let out a laugh.
"I'm going upstairs to get my homework done, Mom." Kakusei turned and began to walk towards her room.
"Okay sweetie, Mirakuru and Densetsu are already here," her mother called from the kitchen. The knee length dress followed her movements as she softly made her way up the stairs. Music played softly...
"Open your eyes--See me for who I am, not what everybody says about me. If you think you fully understand then you're only kidding yourself. You couldn't possibly understand all the rage inside a single heart! I was left there, crying outside there, waiting for someone to be there, for me... Sad smiles are not a dream of mine, but that's all I can believe in, 'cause no one thinks I can make it. But why should I care, I know I can!..... Suddenly I'm surrounded with faith... Hands fall together... We will win..."
The door opened and in a split second Kakusei saw Densetsu watching Mirakuru who was in deep state of consentration and floating in the air cross-legged. The sound of the door creeking sent the brunette to the floor.
"Ow! Kakusei--that hurt!" She rubbed her bottom and frowned at the turquoise-haired beauty. Mirakuru's hair tumbled over her shoulders and unto the ground. She had left it down for once and it was past her knees.
Densetsu laughed aloud and Kakusei grinned. "Sorry. I didn't know you would be leviatating in my room." She closed the door behind her and kneeled down beside Densetsu. "So... How was you're day at school?"
"Don't even ask her--she is so stressed out about entrance exams to think about school, or anything else." Densetsu sighed. "I remember taking them--"
"Yeah--you aced it," Mirakuru said pulling her hair back. "It's too hard!"
Kakusei rolled her eyes. "I managed to pass them and I've never been all that great at school."
"I wish I was just in high school now, so that way I wouldn't have to worry about it." She pouted but then her eyes lit up as she saw Daikonsen peek in the door.
"Hi! Sorry I'm late!"
"Daiko-chan!" Mirakuru joyfully through her arms around her and laughed. "Um..." She back away and watched Daikonsen move over to the others. "Will you help me study tonight at my house?"
"Sure." Her school uniform was the same as Kakusei's--a baby blue, knee-length skirt, white t-shirt with a blue vest.
"Arigato! I love you!!!" Mirakuru's uniform was a short red skirt and a white, botton up t-shirt with a red border on the end of the sleves and a red collar. She smiled.
Densetsu, whose school uniform included a plade green skirt and a gray top with a green bow on the front and a blue sailor thingy (I don't know what their called), picked up her notebook and showed her lyrics for a new song to Daikonsen and Mirakuru.
Kakusei looked down at the floor and felt a sorrow overwhelm her. Why wasn't she confident? Why wasn't she as pretty as her friends? Why wasn't she as popular at school as Daikonsen? Why wasn't she as smart and flirty as Densetsu? Why wasn't she as warm-hearted and mellow as Mirakuru? She asked herself everyday why she couldn't be something more, why she could feel beautiful and confident and sexy..... Well, she did until......................
She felt Tasuki's arms around her. In a light tone he spoke to her, "What are you doing in my bed, Wild Fire?"
She didn't say anything but savored the warmth she felt coming from his heart. Her hair was tied in up and soon his lips were caressing the back of her neck. The girl's cheeks flushed and she whispered breathing heavily. "Tasuki," she shuck beneath him. She hadn't expected he's come on to her so fast and was unprepared.Kakusei turned to face him but his lips met his and he parted her lips with his tongue. Immediately he began undressing her and she was shocked, even scared, he'd never been like this before, never so physical, never so hungry for her, never needed or wanted her this much. Goosebumps went up and down her body and cool air swept over her sending chills through her. Her bare skin was touched by the breeze. Her shirt was off and pulled down to her waist, and only her bra covered her breasts. The man's hand moved up from her knee up to beneath her skirt and touched her silky panties. She was wet there, she realized as he skillfully slipped his fingertips inside of her. "Tas..." Her breathing was hard and gasping. "Ki..."
.....The moonlight plays upon your skin. A kiss that lingers takes me in. I fall asleep inside of you. There are no words, there's only truth. Breathe in, breathe out, there is no sound. We move together up and down. We levitate, our bodies soar, our feet don't even touch the floor. But nobody knows you like I do, 'cause the world they don't understand that I go stronger in your hands. Turn the lights down low, take if off, let me show you, my love for you insatiable. Turn me on, never stop, wanna taste every drop, my love for you is insatiable. Turn the lights down low, take if off, let me show you, my love for you insatiable. Turn me on, never stop, wanna taste every drop, my love for you is insatiable, baby. Oh yeah. We never sleep, we're always holding hands, kissing for hours, talking, and making plans. I feel like a beter man just to be in the same room. We never sleep, there's just so much to do, so much to say. Can't close my eyes when I'm with you. Insatiable, the way I'm loving you..... ("Insatiable" Savage Gardern)
"I just want... to--" He couldn't speak, desires and fantasies had filled his sleep and he couldn't get the vision of their screams and their heat out of his thoughts. His shirt had fallen off sometime during their kiss and his words so only his lower half was clothed. Even against her rationality, she allowed him, even helped undo her school uniform skirt. She had finally moved so that their bodies were facing. Reaching over her, he undid her bra and then slipped her panties over her hips and down her hips, throwing all their clothing on floor. Their mouths moved over each others and he kneeled and then moved off the bed to remove his pants.
Kakusei watched him with passion add desires suddenly filled her.
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Tasuki finally had removed his clothing, but before he could turn around Kakusei's arms went around him. She tightly hung on to him, and he felt the softness of her skin and her let down hair. "Tasuki, there's something we never discussed about us... In my world we have different and safe ways of contraception... So, this--things like this are safer."
*Safer?!* He raised a brow, the mood suddenly broken. *What is she talking about?*
"What I mean is--what if I got pregnant?" They both choked right then.
*Pregnant?!* The idea had never even crossed his mind. She could already have a human life growing inside of her. "Pregnant?... If you got pregnant?... Then..." He was old enough to start a family, to get married, and live a happy life. But the question was did he want that and was he ready to deal with it?
She feared the worst--would he abandon her? Would he turn his back on her? Would he? Would he?! WOULD HE?!?!
A smile creased Tasuki's lips.
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Her back was pinned to the wall, but he wouldn't let her fall, his arms and hips kept her there. Wide eyes settled when she saw the grin on his face. His gold eyes peered at her. "I would like a baby, wouldn't you?"
A sigh and a smile of relief shot through them both. She laughed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was higher above him and she liked the feeling of his ears close to her, to hear the beating of his heart. "Oh Tasuki... Yes, I would like a baby very much, but right now--" Her tone changed and she met his eyes. "I want you more." She held on to him as her legs shifted to encircle his hips.
Tasuki held her closer and the heat returned to him, but hotter than before. They didn't move, they just help each other. Silent 'I love you''s were exchanged and so here soft whispers. He thought she had said 'Damn, I hate the way you do this to me,' and it had made it harder to just hold her to him without being inside her. A feeling deep in her stomache became stronger and pressure built up.
When he had finally moved inside her she didn't even feel it she was so mezmerized with the melody of his heart. She could have sworn that day late afternoon was playing them a song. His hips moved back and forth and suddenly she could feel her own heart beating. He moved and moved and moved and she bit back from screaming and held tighter to him, digging her nails into his back. Perspiration dripped down their bodies to the floor, it was if they had just been caught in the rain naked. The feeling was so much, so much heat. He moaned once and then twice. Fire--Fire--Fire--Heat--They both dreamed of rain then, to cool the building flames.
Their hips moved fiercely and soon they could barely hold back their screams.
"Kakusei!!"
"Tasuki!!!!"
And finally he released.....
Relief flooded through them and they lay side by side in his bed. Neither could remember walking from the other side of the room to the bed, but it didn't matter. Their hands were held clasped together and both gasped for air, sweat still beading and forming on their bodies.
Soom after their heart rates had gone back to normal and their breathing was down he spoke to her, both unable to move. "Heart ni kariboshi sakashitare... Make a shinning star bloom in the heart....."